Construction connection

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to means for the connecting or joining of the beams or rods, for example wood, that are used in the building industry when constructing horizontal or upright compositions, such as beams, roof trusses, walls, load-bearing floors and the like.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to means for the connecting or joining of beams or rods, for example of wood, that are used in the building industry when constructing horizontal or upright compositions, such as, for example, beams, roof trusses, walls, load-bearing floors and the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are numerous solutions that make it possible to make a connection between two or more beams: dovetail joint, screwed joint, riveted joint, nail plates, trimmer joints and the like.

WO2020173093A1 discloses a connection that connects up to six discontinuous square beams. The connecting piece always exceeds the volume of the beams, changing the contact surface of the beams to be joined. In order to ensure that the connection has a cube-shaped volume, with each surface of the cube corresponding to a square cross section, unused connecting elements must be cut off. To realize this connection, it is also necessary to know in advance the size of the cross section of the beams, the number of beams and the configuration of the joint.

JP2003336321 discloses a building frame connector used to join first and second sections of a column, beams, a threshold or similar. According to the description, this connector can facilitate and simplify the production process, transport and installation. With this connection, a beam must always be continuous, which can increase internal stresses and decrease the strength of the construction. To increase the strength of the connection, the insertion grooves in the beams must be narrow, which is difficult to achieve. Since a number of pins are used in this connection, it is also necessary to accurately calculate the position of the holes in the beams, which can slow down the production process.

FR2647861 discloses an installation system for a detachable connection of a plane of a first element with a plane of a second element. The mounting system includes a first and a second component, each of them includes a support plate; means, each of which are complementary to each other, to attach it to the corresponding element, and positioning, guiding and immobilization means, which are respectively male and female and are attached to the support plate, the engagement of one of these means in regard to the other leading the support plates to move towards each other until they come into contact, thus establishing a rigid and dismountable connection between the two elements. The disadvantage of this known invention is that insertion grooves for the mounting system in the beams must be narrow to realize the connection.

The present invention provides a solution for these disadvantages with a connection that is easy to achieve. In addition, the combination of the components of the connection increases the reliability of the structure by maintaining the contact surface of the connected beams and accelerates the production process.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a connection that is easy to realise, increases the reliability of the construction by retaining the contact surface of the connected beams and accelerates the production process. This objective is achieved by a connection according to the present invention.

It is an advantage of embodiments of the current invention that the connection can be carried out repeatedly by means of a limited number of components, each of which has a specific form, without having to take into account the dimensions and features of the elements to be connected.

It is therefore an advantage of embodiments of the current invention that it is not necessary to know beforehand the size of the cross section of the beams and the number of the beams.

As will be further apparent from the description, according to one of the embodiments of this invention, the connection allows up to five connections of discontinuous beams with, for example, square cross section, to be realised on site.

It is also an advantage of embodiments of this invention that the connection does not exceed the volume of the beams. As indicated above, this means that no excess parts must be removed after the connection has been realised.

It is also an advantage of embodiments of this invention that narrow insertion grooves are not necessary and the location of the holes in the beams therefore does not have to be calculated in advance.

It is also an advantage of embodiments of this invention that the connection can be disassembled and reassembled.

It is also an advantage of embodiments of this invention that the connection is modular/circular. More or fewer beams can be connected or disconnected to adjust the connection.

To obtain these benefits, the present invention provides a connection, comprising an end plate, a connecting plate and a conical pin. The end plate includes a slot, which connects with a close fit to a protrusion of the connecting plate. The protrusion of the connecting plate comprises a cut-out. This cut-out comprises a connecting element, which is configured so that the connecting plate can be connected to the end plate by means of the conical pin, characterized in that the connecting element of the connecting plate comprises an opening, which is configured to permit a lateral movement of the connecting element opposite the connecting plate when a conical pin is inserted.

In another embodiment, the lateral movement of the opening of the connecting element of the connecting plate opposite the connecting plate is limited by a shape of the cut-out.

In another embodiment, the connecting element of the connecting plate is resiliently suspended, preferably resiliently in the cut-out of the connecting plate.

In some embodiments the connecting element of the connecting plate is connected to the connecting plate by retaining a thin strip of material in the cut-out.

In one embodiment the cut-out is funnel-shaped.

In a subsequent embodiment, the connecting plate comprises several protrusions, in particular protrusions with the features as described herein.

In a second embodiment, the connecting plate comprises, in addition to one or more of the previous features, a slit configured to insert a second connecting plate.

In some embodiments, the slit of the connecting plate can be connected with a close fit with the thickness of the second connecting plate.

In some embodiments the slit of the connecting plate has a depth up to the centre line of the connecting plate.

In yet another embodiment the connecting element can be placed as a separate element in the cut-out in the protrusion of the connecting plate. In a further embodiment wherein the connecting element is resiliently suspended, the connecting element will be able to move transversally opposite the connecting plate by bending the resilient suspension (205) (in both directions of a z-axis of a corresponding coordinate system, which is shown in FIG. 2 ).

In some embodiments the end plate has a square shape.

In another embodiment, the end plate comprises a screw hole.

In a subsequent embodiment, this invention provides a method for connecting an end plate, a connecting plate and a conical pin. According to this method, a protrusion of the connecting plate as described above is inserted into a slit (sometimes also referred to as slot) of the end plate and a conical pin is inserted into an opening of the connecting element of the connecting plate to create the connection by permitting a lateral movement of the connecting element opposite the connecting plate.

In another embodiment, the method comprises sliding the connecting plates together using the slits provided in the connecting plates.

In a subsequent embodiment, the invention relates to the method for connecting the end plate with a beam or other building element by means of a screw hole, thus using the above-mentioned method to establish a connection between at least 2 beams or other building elements.

Particular and preferred embodiments of the invention are described in the attached independent and dependent claims. Features of the dependent claims may be combined with those of independent and other dependent claims, where applicable and not only as expressly indicated in the claims.

The above and other features, functions and benefits of the present invention will be reflected in the following detailed description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which serve as an example for the principles of the invention. This description is given as an example only, without limiting the scope of the invention. The reference numbers below refer to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

With specific reference to the figures, it must be emphasised that the specifics shown serve only as examples and only for the purposes of illustrating the discussion of the various embodiment forms of the invention under consideration. They are being proposed with the aim of furnishing what is regarded as the most useful and instant description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the invention. No attempt has been made in this respect to show more structural details of the invention other than those necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention. The description in combination with the figures clarify for experts in the field how the various forms of the invention can be implemented in practice.

FIG. 1 shows a top view of an end plate 100 according to the invention.

FIG. 2 shows a top view of a connecting plate 200 in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 3 shows a detailed top view of a cut-out 202 with a connecting element 203 of a connecting plate 200 according to the invention.

FIG. 4A-4C shows a perspective view on how a connection 400 is realized according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention shall be described with respect to particular embodiments and certain drawings, but is not limited to this, except by the claims. The drawings, as described further, are only schematic and non-exhaustive. In the drawings, some elements may not have been drawn on scale for illustrative purposes. The dimensions and relative dimensions do not correspond to the actual limitations in practice.

Moreover, the terms first, second, further and similar in the description and in the claims are used to distinguish between similar elements and not necessarily for the description of a series, whether in time, space, order or in any other way. It is understood, however, that the terms used in this way are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that the embodiments of this invention can be applied in an order other than that described or illustrated herein.

The term “comprising” used in the claims should not be interpreted as limited to the following resources; other elements or steps are not excluded. This refers to the presence of the said features, whole numbers, steps or parts listed, but does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, whole numbers, steps, parts or groups. Therefore, the scope of the phrase ‘a product includes A and B’ should therefore not be limited to devices consisting solely of parts A and B. This means that the relevant parts of the product are A and B and other parts such as C may be present in the present invention.

Where reference is made in this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment”, this means that a particular function or structure, or a particular feature relating to the embodiment, is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Where ‘in one embodiment’ or ‘in an embodiment’ is mentioned at different points in this specification, this does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. In addition, certain functions, structures or features may be combined in any appropriate manner, as is considered applicable to an ordinary professional in one or more embodiments.

Moreover, the description of examples of embodiments and different features of the invention may sometimes be grouped in one embodiment, image or description in order to streamline the disclosure and explain one or more inventive aspects. However, it should not be concluded from this method of disclosure that the claimed invention requires more features than is explicitly stated in each claim. As the following claims show, the inventive aspects can be found in less than all the features of one embodiment mentioned above. For this reason, the claims that follow the detailed description are explicitly included in this detailed description, whereby each claim is a separate embodiment of this invention.

Although some of the embodiments described herein include some but not other features of other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments fall within the scope of the invention and together form different embodiments that will be understood by professionals. For example, in the following claims all claimed embodiments can be used in each combination.

The description given herein contains several specific details. However, the embodiments of the invention are applied without these specific details. In other cases, known methods, structures and techniques were not detailed in order to keep this description clear.

The following terms are mentioned solely to explain the invention.

-   -   The term ‘close fit’ describes a connection of two elements,         wherein, after the connection has been made, the female         connection surface and the male connection surface come into         contact with each other, such as in the close-fitting connection         of two elements, wherein the width and thickness of a slot (or         an opening) of one element is equal to the width and thickness         of a protrusion or pin of the second element.     -   The term ‘configured for connection’ describes a configuration,         wherein a connecting element 203 is equipped with means to         establish a connection with a second element, in this the end         plate 100. In a specific embodiment, the connecting element 203         is provided for this purpose with an opening 206; more         specifically, an opening that allows a lateral movement of the         connecting element opposite the connecting plate.     -   The term “a lateral movement” describes a movement from the         centre to the periphery in the xy-plane of the connecting plate         200. The corresponding coordinate system is shown on FIG. 2 .     -   The term ‘resilient’ describes the property of a material, which         can undergo a deformation and has a tendency to return to its         original form.     -   The term ‘funnel’ or funnel-shaped preferably describes a flat         cut of a conical shape, as shown in FIG. 3 .     -   The term ‘by bending’ describes a movement of the connecting         element 203 in both directions of the z-axis. The corresponding         coordinate system is shown in FIG. 2 .

In FIG. 1 the end plate 100 is illustrated in a top view.

The end plate 100 as shown here includes a slot 101. The slot 101 has a width, preferably equal to the thickness of the connecting plate 200, a length, preferably equal to the length of the protrusion 201 of the connecting plate 200, and thus equipped for a connection with a close fit with a protrusion 201 of the connecting plate 200.

Preferably, the end plate includes two slots 101, which are symmetrically located at the same distance from the centre line C1 of the end plate 100.

The end plate 100 preferably has a square shape.

The end plate 100 preferably has a screw hole 102. In a special embodiment, the end plate 100 includes at least 4 screw holes 102, located at the corners of the end plate 100.

In FIG. 2 , the connecting plate 200 is illustrated in a top view.

The connecting plate 200 has at least one protrusion 201 on the side which connects with a close fit to slot 101 of the end plate 100. The protrusion 201 has a length of at least approximately ⅓ of the length of the side of the connecting plate 200 to provide a stable connection.

Preferably, the connecting plate 200 includes three protrusions 201. Preferably, the connecting plate 200 does not have a protrusion 201 on the side opposite a slit 204. Preferably, the protrusion 201 is centred on the side of the connecting plate 200. Preferably, the protrusion 201 is symmetrical around the centre line C2 of the connecting plate 200.

The protrusion 201 of the connecting plate includes a cut-out 202. Preferably, the cut-out 202 is centrally located in the protrusion 201. Preferably the cut-out 202 is symmetrical to the centre line C2 of the connecting plate 200.

Preferably the cut-out 202 is funnel-shaped.

This cut-out 202 includes a connecting element 203. In a special embodiment, the connecting element is configured such that the connecting plate 200 is connected to the end plate 100 by means of a conical pin 300.

Preferably, the end plate 100 is fitted with 2 slots 101 to be connected with two connecting plates and the end plate 100 and the two connecting plates 200 are connected to each other by means of two conical pins 300.

Preferably, the connecting element 203 of the connecting plate 200 has a resilient suspension in the cut-out 202.

Preferably, the connecting element 203 of the connecting plate 200 is connected to the connecting plate 200 by retaining a thin strip of material 205 in the cut-out 202. The thin strip of material 205 is meant to refer here to a resilient suspension.

As indicated above, connecting element 203 includes an opening 206 in an embodiment of the invention, which is configured to permit a lateral movement opposite the connecting plate when inserting a conical pin 300, after the connecting plate is inserted into slot 101 of the end plate by means of the protrusion 201.

This lateral movement of the connecting element 203 in the connecting plate 200 is limited by a shape 207 of the cut-out 202.

Preferably the connecting element 203 of the connecting plate 200 can move by bending the thin strip of material (205) transversally opposite the connecting plate 200. This movement allows the thin strip of material (205) to detach from the connecting plate 200 and the connecting element 203 which is not used for the connection to be removed. By removing the unused connecting element 203, it is not necessary to know in advance the size of the cross-section of the beams, the number of beams and the configuration of the connection and the connection also remains within the cross-section of the beams.

In the embodiment shown, the connecting plate 200 includes a slit 204, more specifically two slits 204, which are configured to insert a second connecting plate 200. The slit 204 or slits 204, is/are preferably perpendicularly opposite the centre line C2, located on the side of a protrusion 201 and preferably has/have the width of the connecting plate 200.

Preferably the slit 204 of the connecting plate has the depth to the centre line C2 of the connecting plate 200.

FIG. 3 describes a detailed top view of a cut-out 202 of a connecting plate 200 according to the invention, and shows how the connecting element 203 has a resilient suspension with the rest of the connecting plate using a thin strip of material 205. It follows that in a specific embodiment, the connecting element and the connecting plate are made of the same material. More specifically by cutting or welding from the same work piece.

FIG. 4A-4C shows an embodiment of the invention, more specifically a schematic representation of a connection 400 according to the invention in perspective view. FIG. 4A-4C show clearly that up to five connections of discontinuous beams with, for example, square cross-section, can be realised on site.

FIG. 4A describes a perspective view of two connecting plates 200. The connecting plate 200 is capped with an edge 208. The edge 208 has a protrusion in which the connecting element 203 is placed. Each connecting plate 200 of FIG. 4A can preferably be inserted in a second connecting plate 200 of FIG. 4B by means of slit 204 and can be connected with a close fit to the end plate 100 of FIG. 4C by means of the conical pen 300.

FIG. 4B describes a perspective view of two connecting plates 200, which are connected to the end plate 100 by means of the conical pin 300. The protrusion 201 of the connecting plate 200 was inserted into a slot 101 of the end plate 100. The conical pin 300 was inserted in the connecting element 203 of the connecting plate 200. This permits the lateral movement of the connecting element 203 opposite the connecting plate 200 because of the shape of opening 206 and the connection 400 is realized. In other words, the connecting element 203 can be moved in one direction across the edge 208 of the connecting plate 200.

Preferably, the end plate 100 is connected to a beam 500 by means of screw hole 102.

Preferably the end plate 100 is thus placed on the beam 500, that the slots of the end plate 100 are orthogonal to the centre line C3 of the beam 500.

Preferably, the beam 500 includes a slot (herein also referred to as slit) 501 on the surface that is in contact with the end plate 100. The slot 501 of the beam 500 is located on the centre line C3 of the side surface.

Preferably, the width of the slot 501 of the beam 500 is at least equal to the width of a fragment of the connecting element 203 which includes an opening 206. Preferably, the depth of the slit 501 of the beam 500 is at least equal to the height of a fragment of the connecting element 203 which includes an opening 206 after the connecting element 203 has been moved laterally.

The conical pin 300 is inserted into the opening 206 of the connecting element of the connecting plate 200 via the slit 501 of the beam 500. By inserting the conical pin 300, the lateral movement of the connecting element 203 opposite the connecting plate 200 is achieved and the connection 400 is realised.

FIG. 4C describes a perspective view of an end plate 100, which is connected to the beam 500 by means of screw hole 102, and the conical pin 300. 

1-15. (canceled)
 16. A connection comprising an end plate, a connecting plate, and a conical pin, wherein: the end plate comprises a slot connecting with a close fit to a protrusion of the connecting plate; the protrusion of the connecting plate comprises a cut-out; the cut-out comprises a connecting element configured to connect the connecting plate to the end plate by the conical pin; and the connecting element comprises an opening configured to permit a lateral movement of the connecting element opposite the connecting plate when the conical pin is inserted.
 17. The connection according to claim 16, wherein the lateral movement of the opening of the connecting element of the connecting plate opposite the connecting plate is limited by a shape of the cut-out.
 18. The connection according to claim 16, wherein the connecting element of the connecting plate is resiliently suspended.
 19. The connection according to claim 18, wherein the connecting element of the connecting plate is connected to the connecting plate by retaining a thin strip of material in the cut-out.
 20. The connection according to claim 17, wherein the cut-out is funnel-shaped.
 21. The connection according to claim 16, wherein the connecting plate comprises multiple protrusions.
 22. The connection according to claim 16, wherein the connecting plate comprises a slit configured to insert a second connecting plate.
 23. The connection according to claim 22, wherein the slit of the connecting plate is connected with a close fit to the second connecting plate.
 24. The connection according to claim 22, wherein the slit of the connecting plate has a depth to the center line of the connecting plate.
 25. The connection according to claim 19, wherein the connecting element of the connecting plate is configured to move transversally opposite the connecting plate by bending the thin strip of material.
 26. The connection according to claim 16, wherein the end plate has a square shape.
 27. The connection according to claim 16, wherein the end plate includes a screw hole.
 28. A method for making the connection according to claim 16, the method comprising: inserting a protrusion of the connecting plate into a slot of the end plate; and inserting a conical pin into an opening of the connecting element of the connecting plate to create the connection by permitting a lateral movement of the connecting element opposite the connecting plate.
 29. The method according to claim 28, further comprising joining the end plate and the connecting plate together using slits.
 30. The method according to claim 28, wherein the end plate is configured to connect to a beam by a screw hole. 